February 2013 Archive

Today we tested again with the red K1 rudder. Consensus: red K1 rudder is much inferior to K2 rudder. We also tried several new camera angles from the Protector, including driving under the kite lines for the first time. Jacques Vincent joined us on this test.

A short test today with the red rudder from K1. We also tried some new camera angles from the Protector, including driving directly in front of and directly behind the kiteboat. Jacques Vincent joined us on this test.

Today we took K2 out for a tow test with one of the two K1 rudders (white rudder) that we modified for use on K2. We towed in a straight line while slowly accelerating to 22 knots, then stopping and slowly accelerating again. We attached the tow rope to the chair so we could record load data for this exercise. We then launched the kite near Treasure Island and kited briefly with Michael Specter from the New Yorker, who joined us again. The wind was very low, and we had trouble keeping the kite aloft, but we were able to both launch and sail in about 6 knots of wind. We also saw some more of the Youth America’s Cup […more]

A successful test today, kiting between Treasure Island, Richmond, and Berkeley. Wind was as low as 6 knots near Richmond, but further south we had the same great wind conditions as Monday, with much less traffic on the water, and we hit a top speed of 29 knots heading back toward Berkeley. Jamie joined us on the Protector for real-time data monitoring.